Thoughtful opinions held loosely
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The story behind the Semmelweis Reflex teaches us that just like washing hands can save lives, being an open minded leader can save your company.
The death toll of the ongoing global coronavirus health crises is now over 3,000 and climbing. Advice from medical experts has again put the spotlight on a very simple thing every person can do: Wash your hands.
The Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis was one of the first to identify that doctors washing their hands in hospitals save lives. Sadly he was not the last to experience the tendency of colleagues to reject evidence that contradicts the tribe’s established norms.
Today we call it the Semmelweis Reflex. It’s an unfortunate part of our human nature that leaders should understand because companies that fail to consider things like new management science or better technology struggle to compete in their market.
In 1847 Semmelweis knew hand washing worked but couldn’t yet offer an acceptable scientific explanation for his findings.
He failed to convince the industry for 18 years and eventually supposedly suffered a nervous breakdown. He was treacherously committed to an asylum by a colleague where he died just 14 days later after being beaten by the guards.
It’s a sobering story and a reminder of just how powerful closed mindedness can be. The equally powerful antidote is a leader who makes sure their opinions are thoughtful and held loosely.